22/11/2002 - 302 films from 48 countries, 110,000 filmfans, 600 delegates and 580 journalists confirm popularity of the RLFF

The 46th Regus London Film Festival (RLFF) ended on 21 November with the screening of Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s drama, The Heart of Me starring Helena Bonham Carter and Paul Bettany.
The event wrapped on a high note with figures confirming the ongoing popularity of the RLFF as Europe’s leading non-competitive festival. A total of 180 feature films and 122 shorts from 48 different countries were screened between 6-21 November and most significantly 118 public screenings, attracting some 110,000 film fans, were sold out.
Almost 600 industry delegates and over 580 international journalists from 45 countries attended the numerous screenings, special events and master-classes.
Among the most popular films were Stephen Frears’ Dirty Pretty Things, Curtis Hanson’s 8 Mile and the RLFF surprise: Far From Heaven by Todd Haynes.
Although it is a non-competitive event, five awards were presented at the end of the Festival:

The 5th Fipresci International Critics’ award went to Tadjiki director Djamshed Usmonov’s entrée, Angel On The Right, an Italian/Swiss/French/Tadjikistan co-production.

The BFI’s (British Film Institute) prestigious Sutherland Trophy, that traditionally goes to the most original and imaginative debut feature film, was won by French movie Carnage by Delphine Gleize. Last year’s winner was this year’s UK Oscar contender, The Warrior.
Angel On The Right and Carnage will both be released by Metro Tartan in the UK.

Now in its 7th year, the Satyajit Ray award traditionally goes to the feature film that best captures the compassion and humanity of Ray’s vision, and the film that best fulfilled those conditions this year was Bachir-Chouikh's directorial feature debut Rachida. Last year the Ray Award was won by Todd Haynes for In the Bedroom.

The Turner Classic Movies award for the best British short film made by a student went to the 12-minute Thespian X by Gerald McMorrow.